Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi (L) and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, meet in Turkmenistan’s capital of Ashgabat, on November 28, 2021. (Photo by president.ir)

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi says the Islamic Republic seeks to promote long-term and inclusive relations with Turkey and welcomes plans to boost bilateral strategic cooperation.

The Iranian president made the remarks in a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday, saying the two countries have potential to expand cooperation in mutual and regional issues.

Tehran supports the establishment of lasting peace and stability in the region, Raeisi added.

He emphasized that respect for the countries’ national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the sole way to establish sustainable security and stability across the region.

During a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart in December, President Raeisi had said the region does not need foreigners’ meddling because its problems should be resolved through intraregional interaction.

We insist that the region’s problems should be resolved among the regional countries themselves and through active participation of the countries of the region, the Iranian president had said.

Iran, reliable partner of Turkey in energy sector: Erdogan

Erdogan said Turkey regards Iran as a reliable supplier of its energy demands and seeks to increase cooperation with Tehran.

He added that Ankara has drawn up plans for strengthening economic cooperation with Tehran in various fields and voiced optimism that he will visit Iran soon.

Pointing to the Iranian president’s recent meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Erdogan expressed hope that the entire region would witness the useful outcomes of the trip.

The Turkish president also voiced his country’s readiness to cooperate with Tehran on finding possible ways to increase regional security.